Travel Guide to

Montagne d'Ambre National Park

Diego Suarez Madagascar

Montagne d’Ambre National Park
Amber Mountain National Park is located 35 km from Diégo in the
province of Antsiranana, 1000 km from the capital in northern Madagascar.
It is an isolated stretch of montane rainforest covering an area of 18.200
hectares and lying at altitudes between 800 and 1.475 metres. Known for
its crater lakes and waterfalls, it is one of the most beautiful and biologically
diverse areas in all of Madagascar. Deriving its name from the resin that
seeps from some of its trees (some of which reach over 40 metres high)
the Amber Mountain sits in a rainforest rising from much dryer surrounding
lowlands.
These lowland savannas receive only about 900mm of rain per year, while
the mountain park is drenched with an average of 3.858mm. This water runs
into the long rivers and lakes, and creates a wild beauty of nearly 18,000
hectares of connected green forests. These waterways provide for many
tree ferns, orchids, mosses and lianas.
The forests of Montagne d’Ambre National Park offer a home to 75
different bird
species, 35 of which are endemic. These include the faucon, martinet,
wild pigeon and perroquet.
There are 59 species of reptiles and 34 species of amphibians living in
the forests of Montagne d’Ambre. With a rate of 11% of endemism,
three families of snakes, a family of chameleons, three families of lizards
and two families of frogs exist nowhere else. Some species to watch for
include the panther chameleon, Madagascar tree boa, and two leaf-tailed
geckos.

There are also 25 species of mammals living in Montagne d’Ambre,
including the crowned lemur, northern ring-tailed mongoose, fossa and
the brown mouse lemur.
Six families of tenrecs, the rare falanouc, and the Galidie Elégante
also live in the park.
Amber Mountain National Park is one of the most worthwhile reserves to
visit in Madagascar. It is easy to get to, it has easy trails through
beautiful hilly areas, and the footpaths are clearly marked (in English).
The trees and points of interest are labelled, and there is a very good
chance that you will see many of the above-listed species. There are also
accessible caves that you can wander through. And just beyond the park,
there is the very special Ankarana Reserve, with amazing limestone formations
and interesting vegetation surrounding the various nooks and crannies.

Montagne d’Ambre National Park
This large area of forested volcanic massif, 37 km south of Diego Suarez,
was the first Malagasy conservation project to involve local people in
planning and management. Lemurs include the crowned and Sanford’s
brown lemurs. The stately Madagascar crested ibis and the lovely pitta-like
ground-roller are among the birds often seen. The landscape is astonishingly
beautiful, with several crater lakes and waterfalls. You can enjoy a refreshing
swim in the natural pool at the base of La Grande Cascade.